Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is common among men, and radical surgery is the primary treatment. Surgery, however, can affect both physical and mental health, including anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). AIM: To assess the effect of radical prostatectomy on psychological status and QoL in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: This observational study included 102 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy between June 2024 and April 2025. Pain (numerical rating scale), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, and QoL (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and short-form 36) were evaluated before and after surgery. RESULTS: At one month postoperatively, the mean European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 score increased significantly from 60.72 ± 5.37 preoperatively to 86.48 ± 7.52 (P < 0.001), indicating marked improvement in overall QoL. Psychological assessments revealed significant reductions in anxiety and depression: The mean Hamilton Anxiety Scale score decreased from 23.36 ± 5.15 preoperatively to 12.15 ± 4.36 (P < 0.001), and the mean Hamilton Depression Scale score declined from 22.61 ± 5.02 to 13.83 ± 4.54 (P < 0.001). Pain levels, as measured by the numerical rating scale, decreased significantly from 7.68 ± 2.17 preoperatively to 2.67 ± 0.72 (P < 0.001). Additionally, the urinary incontinence rate dropped from 20.59% (21/102) preoperatively to 11.76% (12/102) (P < 0.05), showing a statistically significant reduction. CONCLUSION: Radical prostatectomy improves psychological health and the QoL of patients with prostate cancer. These results may help to inform future therapies.